A widespread search for a missing 9-year-old Canadian tourist, Melina Galanis Frattolin, concluded tragically on Sunday afternoon when her body was discovered in Ticonderoga, New York. The grim finding came hours after an Amber Alert had been issued for the girl, based on her father’s report of a possible abduction in Lake George.
Melina, a Canadian national, was reported missing by her father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 9:58 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025. He claimed his daughter was last seen around 9:40 p.m. in a white van on Interstate 87 near Exit 22 by Lake George, suggesting a possible kidnapping. Authorities swiftly responded, and an Amber Alert was activated early Sunday morning, around 1:30 a.m., warning that Melina was in “imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death.” The alert described Melina as approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing light-colored shorts, a black and white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers. The alert was broadcast across various platforms, including road signs and cellphones, mobilizing a community-wide response.
However, as the investigation progressed, law enforcement began to uncover discrepancies. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, which initially led the case, identified “inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided,” according to the New York State Police (NYSP). Due to these inconsistencies and jurisdictional considerations, the investigation was transferred to the NYSP. By Sunday afternoon, the Amber Alert was canceled at 4:18 p.m., with police announcing that Melina’s body had been found in Ticonderoga, approximately 30 to 45 miles north of Lake George.
Crucially, the NYSP stated that there was “no indication that an abduction occurred” and assured the public that there was “no threat to the public” related to the incident. The discovery of Melina’s body was aided by multiple agencies, including the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Forest Rangers, and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units. As of now, the cause of Melina’s death has not been released, and no suspect or arrest has been announced.
The tragic outcome has left many questions unanswered. Luciano Frattolin is reportedly the founder of an organic coffee brand, described on its website as an experienced entrepreneur with a background in humanities and social sciences. The New York State Police are expected to hold a media briefing on Monday, July 21, 2025, to provide further updates on the ongoing investigation into Melina’s death and the circumstances surrounding her father’s initial report. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 518-743-2501 or dial 911.
